NASSCO Begins Building Matson’s LNG-ready ConRos

San Diego shipyard General Dynamics NASSCO said it has begun
building the first of two liquefied natural gas (LNG)-capable
combination containership/roll-on, roll-off (ConRo) vessels for
Matson Navigation Company, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of
Matson, Inc.

The 265-meter-long, 3,500 TEU Kanaloa class design was developed
by the shipyard in partnership with Daewoo Ship Engineering
Company, and incorporates Tier III compliant LNG-capable main and
auxiliary engines, with accommodation for future LNG fuel gas
system installation.

The first ship is scheduled to be delivered in the fourth quarter
of 2019, while construction of the second Kanaloa-class vessel
will begin in 2018 with delivery in the second quarter of 2020.

Once delivered, the Jones Act qualified vessels will transport
containers, automobiles and rolling stock, including trailers,
between the continental west coast and Hawaii.

According to Kevin Graney, president of General Dynamics NASSCO,
the Matson ConRos builds, together with contracted work for
several U.S. Navy ships, heave led the San Diego shipyard to hire
additional manpower.

Kanaloa Class

Length: 265 meters

Beam: 34.9 meters

Draft: 11.5 meters

Containers: Approximately 3,500 TEUs, large reefer capacity

Garage: Four decks for autos, two decks for trailers and a stern
quartering ramp.